Cheap Women Get Around
When we started this contest, I was worried that I'd be spending a lot of time alone. Okay, okay ... I was looking forward to it. I'm kind of a hermit at heart, and I've been really stressed out by how much time I spend hanging out and how guilty I feel when I tell people I can't.
I thought having to save money would mean I'd have a built-in excuse to stay home, read, and obsess about my problems. Happily, I was wrong. So far, many of my friends have chipped in with free stuff. They've been more than generous, as my Shout Outs attest. In turn, I've tried hard to not be a beggar, and I've tried to order reasonably when I am treated (goodbye fountain Cokes).
This generosity might be a fragile thing, brought on by the newness of the Cheap Woman experience. But even if there is no such thing as a (continuing) free lunch, I think this cheapskate-icity will help me grow relationships, not starve them.
For one thing, I'm forced to be honest about what I can and can't afford. I don't want to admit that I'm the woman who, despite earning a college degree and working for six years since, can't really afford to go to the movies. But I need to start admitting that, or my debt will get bigger. Yeah, I use the contest as an excuse. I don't say, "I can't afford the movies," I say, "Are you kidding? Movies are for January. You don't want Elisa to WIN, do you?!" That's not exactly owning up. Still, I think it's okay to use the contest excuse as a crutch. Hopefully it will help me heal and, by the time the contest is over, I won't need its support.
When I do hang out with friends, our time together is more intentional and meaningful. I'd been leaning on so many activities that cost money (going to the movies, having coffee, eating out). Instead, I now have to find something free (laying on a blanket in the park, playing Boggle, decorating an apartment). It's often more interesting and leads to better conversation and, I hope, deeper friendships.
I'm still a long way from getting the balance perfect. Although I enjoyed spending time with friends today, I'm also desperate for some downtime, and I probably won't get that for a few days. But I'm working on it. And I'm encouraged that saving money is already having such an impact on what I thought were finance-proof areas of my life.
SHOUT OUTS
Alison ... for the Purple Onion (oh how I've missed thee!)
Jimmy ... for your crazy lime beer
Jenn ... for the ice cream sandwiches and granola bars
Seth ... for lunch at the Garage
John ... for a Broccoli Baker at Al's (I got 3 meals out of it!)
I thought having to save money would mean I'd have a built-in excuse to stay home, read, and obsess about my problems. Happily, I was wrong. So far, many of my friends have chipped in with free stuff. They've been more than generous, as my Shout Outs attest. In turn, I've tried hard to not be a beggar, and I've tried to order reasonably when I am treated (goodbye fountain Cokes).
This generosity might be a fragile thing, brought on by the newness of the Cheap Woman experience. But even if there is no such thing as a (continuing) free lunch, I think this cheapskate-icity will help me grow relationships, not starve them.
For one thing, I'm forced to be honest about what I can and can't afford. I don't want to admit that I'm the woman who, despite earning a college degree and working for six years since, can't really afford to go to the movies. But I need to start admitting that, or my debt will get bigger. Yeah, I use the contest as an excuse. I don't say, "I can't afford the movies," I say, "Are you kidding? Movies are for January. You don't want Elisa to WIN, do you?!" That's not exactly owning up. Still, I think it's okay to use the contest excuse as a crutch. Hopefully it will help me heal and, by the time the contest is over, I won't need its support.
When I do hang out with friends, our time together is more intentional and meaningful. I'd been leaning on so many activities that cost money (going to the movies, having coffee, eating out). Instead, I now have to find something free (laying on a blanket in the park, playing Boggle, decorating an apartment). It's often more interesting and leads to better conversation and, I hope, deeper friendships.
I'm still a long way from getting the balance perfect. Although I enjoyed spending time with friends today, I'm also desperate for some downtime, and I probably won't get that for a few days. But I'm working on it. And I'm encouraged that saving money is already having such an impact on what I thought were finance-proof areas of my life.
SHOUT OUTS
Alison ... for the Purple Onion (oh how I've missed thee!)
Jimmy ... for your crazy lime beer
Jenn ... for the ice cream sandwiches and granola bars
Seth ... for lunch at the Garage
John ... for a Broccoli Baker at Al's (I got 3 meals out of it!)
2 Comments:
hey carrie? i love you. i just absolutely love you. you two may think that i'm kidding or being dramatic when i say that your experiences are inspiring me, but i'm not. you're inspiring and encouraging me!!
so there.
OOOHHH!!! Boggle. I love that game. The only game better than Boggle is Big Boggle. It features a 5x5 cube-housing as opposed to a 4x4 as associated with the standard-sized Boggle components. Once as a child I scoped the word 'detergent'...needless to say my parents were proud and posted my word-sheet on the refrigerator for months. Did the detect the obvious homeschooling there?
I would suggest you acquire a Big Boggle, but that would probaby involve spending money and I feel certain that would violate the entire "cheapwomen" ethic...so I guess what I will do is check ebay for a second-hand version, since they don't manufacture this obviously superior cousin of standard Boggle, and one day ask for your mailing address. Forget you ever read this if you like surprises.
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